Differential Location Tracking in GPS-Denied Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geolocation technologies, such as GPS, are inaccessible indoors, in rough geographical locations, and underwater, leading to a lack of effective storage of location information in audio-visual recordings.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining differential location samples using on-device sensors like accelerometers and altimeters, which are then stored or transmitted within audio-visual media files, allowing for the derivation of location information even without global positioning systems, using a new type of timed metadata sample entry and sample format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to obtain location information, then location accuracy is improved, but the system becomes inaccessible indoors, in rough geographical locations, and underwater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses on-device sensors (accelerometers, altimeters, gyroscopes) as intermediary components to obtain location information when GPS is unavailable. These sensors serve as mediators that can operate in indoor, underwater, and rough geographical environments where GPS signals cannot penetrate, thus resolving the contradiction between location accuracy and environmental accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with on-device mechanical sensors (accelerometers, altimeters, gyroscopes) that do not require external signal transmission. This substitution enables location tracking in environments where electromagnetic signals cannot reach, thereby improving environmental accessibility while maintaining location information capability.
2Loss of information
If differential location samples are stored in audio-visual media files, then location information availability is improved in GPS-denied environments, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges location information storage with audio-visual media files by integrating sensor data (accelerometer, altimeter, gyroscope readings) directly into the media file metadata. This combination eliminates the need for separate location storage systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while ensuring location information availability in GPS-denied environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the audio-visual media file multi-functional by enabling it to store both media content and location information in a single data structure. This universality allows the media file to serve dual purposes: entertainment/content delivery and location tracking, thereby improving location information availability without requiring additional dedicated systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensor data is used to determine location, then environmental adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to error accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing raw sensor data (accelerometer, altimeter, gyroscope readings) at known reference points before GPS signal loss occurs. This preliminary data collection establishes a baseline that can be used to initialize and校准 subsequent differential location calculations, thereby reducing error accumulation and improving measurement precision in GPS-denied environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring sensor data and comparing it against stored reference information. This feedback loop enables real-time error detection and correction in differential location calculations, thereby maintaining measurement precision while utilizing sensor-based location tracking in environments where GPS is unavailable.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform operations including determining, by a media recording device, a differential location sample identifying a current location in time associated with the media recording device relative to a reference location; and at least one of storing and transmitting, by the media recording device, the differential location sample in an audio-visual media file. In accordance with another example embodiment of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform operations including receiving and parsing, by a parser device, a plurality of differential location samples of an audio-visual media file to identify an absolute location of a media recording device.